Clinton: Congress Must Consider Campaign Reform

Lott agrees to consider reform legislation before October break

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Sep. 23) -- After President Bill Clinton threatened to force a special session of Congress to consider campaign finance reform, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott said the Senate would schedule full debate before its October recess.

Clinton stated his intention in a letter to Lott that asked for complete consideration of the Democrats' favored reform legislation authored by GOP Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Democratic Sen Russ Feingold of Wisconsin.

"If any attempt is made to bring this bill up in a manner that would preclude sufficient time for debate, I will call on Congress to stay in session until all of the critical elements are fully considered," Clinton wrote Lott (R-Miss.).

Lott had promised to schedule debate on McCain-Feingold after the Senate returns from its Columbus Day break Oct. 21. But this afternoon, speaking from the Senate floor, Lott said the Senate would act before recessing for Columbus Day week, though the Mississippi Republican said the president's letter did not threaten or intimidate him.

Most Republicans oppose McCain-Feingold, and supporters feared GOP lawmakers would use tactics such as filibusters to shortchange debate and prevent senators from going on the record on the issue.

By law, the president can order Congress into legislative session, though once assembled, lawmakers are free to determine their agenda. White House spokesman Mike McCurry said Clinton, in sending the letter, expected lawmakers to "stay in session until all critical elements are considered," followed by a "recorded vote."

The centerpiece of McCain-Feingold is a ban on unregulated donations to the national parties -- so-called "soft money." Critics, pointing to a 1974 Supreme Court decision that overturned spending limits on political campaigns, say that amounts to a violation of First Amendment free speech protections.

Supporters are pointing to a letter recently signed by 126 constitutional scholars saying a soft-money ban would be constitutional.

In Other News:

Tuesday Sept. 23, 1997

• White House Placing Pressure On Reno
• Senate Committee Investigates IRS Practices
• Clinton: Congress Must Consider Campaign Reform
• Daschle Uses Maneuver To Shut Down Committee Meetings
• Fund-Raising Panel Changes Course

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